Overview & Reviews

Nissan was born in Japan, and like other marques from its homeland, the brand is known for crafting vehicles that place an emphasis on quality and reliability. The company's roster of products is broad, and includes sporty coupes, family sedans, minivans, trucks and SUVs.

The automaker got its start in 1933 as the Jidosha Seico Co., Ltd. The following year, this outfit merged with another Japanese manufacturer, and the new company was christened Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. Nissan initially marketed its vehicles under the Datsun brand, with the first Datsuns being built in 1934. Postwar, the brand made its presence felt worldwide, building a partnership with the U.K.-based Austin Motor Co. and establishing a presence in the United States. The first Datsuns hit American shores in 1958. Vehicles like the Datsun 1000 were based on Austin platforms.

The '60s witnessed Nissan's merger with Prince Motor Company, a union that helped the Asian manufacturer create more luxury-focused vehicles. In the U.S. it began offering its first vehicle styled for the U.S. market, the Datsun 510 sedan. By the end of the decade, Datsun had exported more than 1 million vehicles. Datsun rose to prominence in the 1970s on the popularity of its 240Z sports car. Powered by an inline six-cylinder engine, the car was coveted for its blend of style, performance and affordability. By the time the '70s drew to a close, the automaker's cumulative vehicle exports had surpassed the 10 million mark.

In 1981, Nissan shelved the Datsun name and began selling vehicles worldwide under the Nissan moniker. The '80s also saw Nissan's launch of a tuning division called Nismo for the development of performance-oriented vehicles and accessories. Nissan also brought its production to American shores, with the construction of a Georgia-based plant.

The early '90s saw Nissan's fortunes rise in the U.S. thanks to fun-to-drive cars like the 300ZX, Maxima and Sentra. But this trend didn't last long and by the late '90s Nissan's offerings consisted of anonymous vehicles. The company's future was uncertain.

After the turn of the new century Nissan bounced back, helped by a 1999 alliance with Renault that boosted the company's finances. Its redesigned Sentra and Altima boosted sales and consumer interest, as did new models like the 350Z sports car, Armada SUV and Titan pickup. Today the manufacturer is known for offering a wide range of well-regarded vehicles, including the popular Murano SUV, the incredible GT-R supercar and the all-electric Leaf.

User Reviews:

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  This Roadster Rules - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By xntrix - January 6 - 2:00 am

  Excellent car, fun to drive, best bang for the buck

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  Ive owned it for only 3 months - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Robert D. Hardison - January 6 - 2:00 am

  After only 3 months of owning and almost 9000 miles all I can rate is the highest number. I average 22mpg city and 26-28 on long trips/air conditioning. Everything on it is as perfect as can be and I could never improve on anything. Road noise is very quiet also.

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  04 Maxima worth the wait! - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By WendyRu - January 6 - 2:00 am

  I have been researching this car since Nissan teased me with their mailings featuring the new body style. Like I told the salesman - he did not have to "sell" me the car. I wanted it the moment I sat in it.

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  Satisfied with Nissan - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Allen cat. - January 6 - 2:00 am

  Nissan always manage to improve on a already good product. I have purchased Nissans over the past 25 years and I have been satisfied with the quality and technology that NIssan manages to bring to the table.

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  2004 Maxima - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By smbcpa - January 6 - 2:00 am

  Love it-been waiting years for the model update-third Maxima owned, and reliable as usual

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  Awesome engine, awesome sound system! - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By LAlayla - January 6 - 1:56 am

  Incredible engine, awesome sound system, totally hot! I love my Altima! I bought it with just about every option available. It is by far the coolest car EVER MADE!

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  Dissappointing. I Must have had a lemon! - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Dissappointed - January 6 - 1:46 am

  I purchased the 2.5SL Sedan and was so excited. I previously owned a 1996 Maxima and loved it. The Altima had too many problems to list. The main issues were the CVT transmission, ride stability and the drivers seat. I had to practically floor the car to get it going from a stop or slow speed. I really thought there was something wrong with the CVT, but the dealership told me it was fine 3 times. The drivers seat shifted around when turning (very annoying) and the dealer said there was nothing wrong. On the highway, if there was a slight breeze, the car was dangerously all over the road, again...the dealer said there was nothing wrong. I traded it in on an Acura and I am very happy.

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  better than most...but not perfect... - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By qwert - January 5 - 3:46 pm

  The Frontier is a Chryler Roadrunner. A very powerful package surrounded by metal, plastic, and a basic interior that keep the price down. If I sell this vehicle earlier than originally planned, it will be due to lack of front seat comfort.

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  Mixed results - 2001 Nissan Maxima
  By Lee - January 5 - 10:43 am

  Bought the car new (13 miles on it) from the dealer. For the most part the car performed well. 26,393 - driver side window stopped (warranty). 44,749 - engine warning light (catalytic converter replaced). 46,356 - engine warning light (catalytic converter replaced again). 56,784 - seat belt light (dealer convinced me I needed a new battery). Seat belt light came back on within 10 miles of leaving the dealership. Warranty expired 60,968 - replaced seat belt sensor. Later issues (after 5yrs, like clock work): back left tire bearing tie rod rear calipers struts. I should have gotten out between 4 and 5 yrs. After that things really started to fall apart.

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  Real Deal on Rogue - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By Kevin - January 5 - 7:36 am

  Its a nice vehicle but here are the bad things. Heat takes about 10 minutes til you can turn it on, anytime you turn on the climate controls it defaults to air conditioning (the most annoying feature). If you have the Bo speaker system, your subwoofer is mounted on top of the spare tire, so be prepared to take that off when you are broken down on the side of the road. Other then that I like everything else on the car, I know one review said it doesnt have fog lights but mine does, took me awhile to find them. Headlights are also adjustable if they look dim. Upgraded sound system sounds awesome, and it has XM radio! Dealer, Salesman and bestbuy guy that installed my XM all didnt know it.